CureSHANK Research-to-Cure Grant: Epilepsy

CureSHANK Research-to-Cure Grant: Epilepsy

Focus Area: SHANK3-related epilepsy in Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS)

Award Amount: $250,000 total commitment

Number of Awards: Two or more research proposals will be funded

Background

Announced December 1, 2023, this Request for Applications (RFA) seeks researchers to study the connection between SHANK3 gene deletions/variants and epilepsy. Epilepsy is responsible for many deaths in both children and young adults with PMS and is one of the disorder's most distressing symptoms. Research has historically focused more on autism and intellectual disability rather than epilepsy.

Research Priorities

Research priorities and recommendations were developed by experts at a groundbreaking conference "Defining a Roadmap for SHANK3-related Epilepsy Research" held on September 27 at Boston Children's Hospital Brain Mind Behavior Center. The meeting was jointly hosted by the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) Developmental Synaptopathies Consortium and the Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center.

Funder Information

Organization: CureSHANK Location: California, US Mission: To accelerate the development of treatments for Phelan-McDermid syndrome & SHANK-related disorders Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation